Ready, Set, Boys

We picked up Logan and Landen yesterday for another weekend here at Bob and Nina’s house.   They call us by our first names because when they were little they just weren’t able to say Grandma and Grandpa.  And since they were the first grandchildren, all they ever heard us called were Bob and Nina.  I enjoy being called Grandma, but Bob and Nina stuck. 

As soon as Logan hits our door, he’s running up to their room to hook up his Game Cube that he brought with him.  Austin and Melissa lock this up during the week and he’s allowed to get on it from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon. 

We still limit his time on it because he won’t even stop to eat and pee if we don’t. 

Today was a fairly nice day, so we decided to take the boys to Cooper’s Farm Market.  Their Fall Festival weekends were over, but they still had a few things going on.  Logan really didn’t want to leave his Game Cube, but once we were there he had a great time.  Landen wasn’t feeling very well, so he was a little quiet and laid back today. 

Logan picked out two pumpkins for them so they could carve Jack-O-Lanterns tomorrow with their mother.

Second cousin Kyle, as the two boys have lovingly come to call him, joined in the fun with them.

Kyle is 6’4”, so Landen was thrilled to be up so high while walking through the corn maze.

They also had a smaller hay bale maze that was great for the smaller kids to just run around in.

Logan had a great time trying to catch this rooster.  But there was no way!

On the way home we had to stop at the Harley Davidson shop per  Bob’s desire.  Bob has been threatening to buy a Harley for the last 31 years!  He had a Harley when he was about 21 years old and maybe he hopes to re-capture some of those young and wild days. 

This was the first bike greeting us as we walked into the store.

It’s a real buffalo hide hanging on a motorcycle.

Landen also wanted to try on a helmet.

I think he has a way to go to grow into it.  And I think it was heavier than he is!

We ended our afternoon out with ice cream cones.  This if the kind of weekend and times I enjoy with my grandchildren.  Logan was even glad that he took a break from Game Cube. 

Now we’re back home and Landen is taking a nap and Logan is --- you guessed it!--- back in his room on Game Cube! 

It feels like a grilled cheese and tomato soup dinner night.  I love Fall!

No Bad Ghosts or Nasty Witches at Our House!

It's a beautiful Monday, I got some much needed sleep last night, and I'm home alone today.  It's a good day.  I know I've mentioned it before, but I get so much more done when My Bob is on the road and out of the house.  I love him dearly and don't mean this in a mean way, but he gets on my nerves when he's working at home.  Love him dearly, though, just want to emphasize!! (in case he reads this)
We had a nice Halloween weekend, but we were both so exhausted yesterday.  For me, it was more of a bone weary tired, not a need to take a nap weary.  There's a difference for me.  I don't like to take naps because I have too many things to do, but sometimes I just need to sit, knit and be alone.  Sit and knit is how I felt last night.
I know you all want to know how the Candy Corn martinis turned out. (see last post)  Well, they were good, but wayyyy tooo strong.  It struck me after the first sip that, "Hey, these are all alcohol!"  If I added more ice and let more candy corn dissolve in it, it was better.  I would play with this recipe next time I do it by adding something non-alcohol to cut it down a little.  The cupcakes turned out very Halloweenish and tasted good, too, as did the sloppy joes.

The grandsons looked adorable and loved the evening.  Logan was black spiderman and Landen was the Joker and looked like a little midget. 

                      



                               Here's Logan casting his web

And I was complete with my annual cat ears and fur collar and my little Fergie the pumpkin head with my dad, dressed as my dad.

The boys were very hyped as you can imagine and Austin and Melissa asked if the boys could spend the night with us because they were having a few friends over for the evening.  Of course we agreed and love to have the boys, but way too much sugar for them was very tiring for Nina and Bobby (that's what they call us).  They didn't want to go to sleep, but finally after two movies fell asleep around 10:00.  Awww! Rest!  But not for long ---- they were awake at 6:00 am, which was now 5:00 am.  And they would not go back to sleep or even quit talking.  So up we got, no choice.  I don't remember by own two boys being quite this active and loud, although I'm sure they were.  It's funny how 25 years of age makes things seem louder and busier.
Their mom and dad came for them around noon the next day and that was none too soon.  My son walks in the door with a big pumpkin/flower arrangement for me.  It had been a stressful couple of weeks for Austin and Melissa and I had  a long talk with Austin on Friday night and then a long talk with Melissa on Saturday.  Melissa and I don't always see eye to eye and can rub each other the wrong way, but I think we both felt better after our talk.  I walk a tightrope between trying to be helpful and minding my own business.  I know I fall off that tightrope often, but sometimes I can't help myself.  I guess this was a time I must have got it right.  The card attached to the arrangement said, "We don't tell you often enough what a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend you are.  Thanks for everything, Love,  Austin, Melissa and boys."  Made me want to cry!

It's a real pumpkin and real flowers!

Then Austin handed me a couple of his Air Force uniform dress shirts that needed stripes sewn on and some buttons fixed.  But I don't mind at all.